transformation

noun

trans·​for·​ma·​tion ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən 

-fȯr-

1

: an act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed

2

: false hair worn especially by a woman to replace or supplement natural hair

3

a(1)

: the operation of changing (as by rotation or mapping) one configuration or expression into another in accordance with a mathematical rule

especially : a change of variables or coordinates in which a function of new variables or coordinates is substituted for each original variable or coordinate

(2)

: the formula that effects a transformation

b

: function sense 5a

c

: an operation that converts (as by insertion, deletion, or permutation) one grammatical string (such as a sentence) into another

also : a formal statement of such an operation

4

: genetic modification of a bacterium by incorporation of free DNA from another bacterial cell

also : genetic modification of a cell by the uptake and incorporation of exogenous DNA

Synonyms

• conversion
• transition
• metamorphosis

Examples of transformation in a Sentence

The building underwent various transformations over the years.

a raven-haired starlet who underwent an attention-getting transformation and showed up at the awards ceremony as a blonde

Recent Examples on the Web

Chaar’s company has positioned itself at the heart of this transformation. —Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025

That old story survived the reevaluation of war that took place during the Enlightenment; the transformation of the modern battlefield by mass mobilization and factory-scale killing in the twentieth century; and now, the separation between killer and target facilitated by technology. —Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025

With oil prices below the levels Saudi Arabia forecast when launching its economic transformation almost a decade ago, the kingdom has become a net importer of capital — still building foreign assets but borrowing more to fund domestic projects. —Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025

CorVent Medical enters that picture with a focus on rural health transformation and the simple idea that life-saving care should be more accessible. —Matt Emma, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing transformation

• linear transformation
• self-transformation
• topological transformation

Rhymes for transformation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

transformation

noun

trans·​for·​ma·​tion ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən 

-fȯr-

: an act, process, or example of transforming or being transformed

transformational

-shnəl

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

transformation

noun

trans·​for·​ma·​tion ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən, -fȯr- 

1

: an act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed see malignant transformation

2

a

: genetic modification of a bacterium by incorporation of free DNA from another ruptured bacterial cell compare transduction sense 2

b

: genetic modification of a cell by the uptake and incorporation of exogenous DNA